Chinoiserie (Shire Library)

I was disappointed by this thin little book. The only other Shire book I have is John Bly’s 2010 English Furniture, an altogether more substantial and better produced book, and I had been hoping for something similar. If Chinoiserie is typical of what Shire is producing these days I won’t being buying any more of their books.The blurb on the back cover boasts that it “explores the profound impact of Chinoiserie on the material culture of the West.” It doesn’t live up to this billing, being very much limited to Britain (and mostly England) - no mention of Ireland, or the Chinoiserie treasures of Italy, Germany or the rest of Europe or the wider Western world. If you’re looking for a more heavyweight and wider view of Chinoiserie’s impact, put your money towards buying Dawn Jacobsen’s book, Chinoiserie, from 1993.On the plus side, this slim volume is an easy read (an hour, tops), nicely illustrated and not too dear.